The Daily BeastAre Archaeologists About to Find Nefertiti's Tomb?Feb. 18, 2017Caroline Schroeder, professor of religious studies at Pacific, was quoted in a story about a team of Italian archeologists who plan to enter the tomb of Tutankhamun in an effort to find secret chambers and ultimately the resting place of Queen Nefertiti, the Egyptian Queen who helped to lead a religious revolution. Schroeder said the discovery might tell researchers if Nefertiti ruled Egypt on her own, which would have made her one of the most powerful leaders of the time.Read more: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/02/19/are-archaeologists-about-to-find-nefertiti-s-tomb.html

The Sacramento BeeMan charged with killing Sacramento, Placer deputies can't get fair trial in capital, lawyers sayFeb. 22, 2017McGeorge's Michael Vitiello and John Cary Sims were interviewed for a story on the efforts by public defenders to have a death penalty murder trial moved to another county because of the amount of media coverage of the 2014 slaying of two Sacramento-area deputies and the national debate on President Trump's immigration policies. Both legal experts questioned the methods used by a research firm used by the defense attorneys to prove that they could not find an impartial jury in Sacramento County. "You're making every darn motion you can to make as many issues as possible reviewable on appeal," Vitiello said. "They've got to try everything, but it's not John Hinckley, it's not even the Kings getting rid of DeMarcus Cousins." He also said he thought they would be able to find enough people who did not know about the case to sit on the jury.Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article134327849.html

Capitol WeeklyIn the Capitol, myth vs. realityFeb. 13, 2017Chris Micheli, adjunct professor of law, wrote about the common misconceptions and realities of state lawmaking. "So let's hold our breath, take a deep dive into the Capitol and separate the myths from the reality," he wrote. His piece looked at more than a dozen misconceptions about California lawmaking.Read more: http://capitolweekly.net/myths-reality-capitol/

Sacramento Business JournalAn improving climate for small businessesFeb. 24, 2017Jeff Michael, director of Pacific's Center for Business and Policy Research, was quoted in this story on the surging economy in the Sacramento region and rise in its ranking for small business vitality. While it had been slow to recover after the Great Recession, the Sacramento region is now in the fastest part of its economic cycle, Michael said. "Sacramento's economy is in a strong growth trajectory so it makes sense that the region is moving up the ladder in its small-business ranking," he told the Sacramento Business Journal.Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2017/02/24/an-improving-climate-for-small-businesses.html

The RecordFitzgerald: Coach, family robbed of belongings, but community steps forwardFeb. 16, 2017This heartwarming piece by metro columnist Mike Fitzgerald tells how assistant men's basketball coach JayDee Luster, girlfriend Tai Massey, and their toddler Kaisu lost everything to thieves just as they were relocating to Stockton from San Diego for Luster's job at Pacific. An email from Stefanie Leland, wife of Athletic Director Ted Leland, to the athletic department and Pacific boosters resulted in a flood of donations of baby clothing, furniture, kitchen items and cash. "The amount of just positive vibes and good energy from the people we were able to meet has been amazing," Massey said. "We literally went from having everything to having nothing to having everything in 48 hours. Such a roller coaster. I'm just so grateful."Read more: http://www.recordnet.com/news/20170216/fitzgerald-coach-family-robbed-of-belongings-but-community-steps-forwardThe community response was also the first "cheer" of The Record's weekly Cheers and Jeers editorial: http://www.recordnet.com/opinion/20170220/cheers-and-jeers-cheers-community-steps-forward

The RecordUnsung Hero: Joe SerraFeb. 11, 2017Joe Serra, a visiting lecturer in Pacific's Department of Physical Therapy, was featured in The Record's "Unsung Hero" feature for his work with Hope Haven West, a nonprofit group that collects used and discarded wheelchairs to be refurbished and distributed primarily in South and Central America and Mexico. He first heard about it through his involvement with Rotary International. Cathy Peterson, a professor in the same department, also volunteers for the group and said of Serra: "This is also fueled by his passion and commitment to Rotary," Peterson said. "Rotary's motto is 'Service Above Self' and he really epitomizes that. ... Everything he touches is that much better for it."Read more: http://www.recordnet.com/news/20170211/unsung-hero-joe-serra

The RecordRumors of raids rampantFeb. 18, 2017Qingwen Dong, professor and chair of Pacific's Department of Communication, helped to make sense of recent false rumors that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were setting up local checkpoints to arrest undocumented immigrants and how social media played a role in spreading the rumors. Part of the problem, Dong told The Record, is that the country is in an immigration crisis and people do not fully understand the Trump Administration's positions and policies. Fear plays a role in shaping how people react to the situation and social media is reaffirming immigrants' fears.Read more: http://www.recordnet.com/news/20170218/rumors-of-raids-rampant

The RecordRestaurants helping literacy effortsFeb. 18, 2017Jennifer Torres Siders, Pacific's community relations director, was quoted in a story about a Beyond Our Gates program that, with the Downtown Stockton Alliance and First 5 San Joaquin, provides downtown Stockton restaurants with literacy-themed placemats. The placemats provide ways for parents and their children to play, talk and draw together while building literacy skills.Read more: http://www.recordnet.com/news/20170218/restaurants-helping-literacy-efforts

The RecordEdison a bright light in education, college readinessFeb. 20, 2017Chris Krzak, Pacific's director of admissions, was interviewed for a story on what it takes for high school students to transition to college. He told The Record that it is the work that students do in high school that goes a long way toward success in college. "Take advantage of everything high school has to offer," Krzak said. "Take advantage of a college prep curriculum, follow the A-G requirements, take honors or Advanced Placement courses, and raise your hand." Student clubs, sports and student government help to build leadership and social skills and a solid college application.Read more: http://www.recordnet.com/special/20170220/edison-bright-light-in-education-college-readiness

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The RecordTalented competition winners to step in front of orchestra and soloFeb. 23, 2017Bennett Lopez and Robert Brown Jr., winners of Pacific's annual concerto competition, were featured in a story advancing the University Symphony Orchestra performance at which they performed as soloists. Nicolas Waldvogel, professor in the Conservatory of Music, the symphony conductor and one of the judges for the competition, was quoted in the story: "It's a big feather in their caps. They don't get very many chances to play as soloists. That's important. They look forward to it for many years. They plan a long time ahead. It's the most prestigious thing for them. It's really a big deal."Read more: http://www.recordnet.com/entertainmentlife/20170222/talented-competition-winners-to-step-in-front-of-orchestra-and-solo

The Record'Farmers are optimistic people'Feb. 20, 2017Jeff Michael, director of Pacific's Center for Business and Policy Research, was quoted in a story about the future of the region's biggest industry - agriculture. Farmers are concerned about how shifts in trade policies by the Trump Administration will affect their livelihood. "If the U.S. gets very aggressive in its trade stance, will China retaliate?" asked Michael. "I'm not necessarily predicting a trade war, but it's a real risk and it does make people nervous." He said he expects the ag economy to stabilize and that long-term water restrictions may cause it to diminish somewhat.Read more: http://www.recordnet.com/news/20170220/farmers-are-optimistic-people

The RecordGrowth trend continues for local financial industryFeb. 20, 2017Jeff Michael, director of Pacific's Center for Business and Policy Research, provided insight and context for this story on the state and future of the regional financial industry. He said local banks, such as the Bank of Stockton, tend to react differently than large national institutions. "Local banks tend to be a little more oriented toward agricultural lending and small-business type lending," Michael said. "It's a little bit different of a portfolio from some of the big national banks. The agriculture side has been very strong for those local banks, but there might be some challenges ahead in that area. It might be a little weaker than it has in recent years, but overall it's a positive situation." Alumni Douglass Eberhardt and Douglass Eberhardt II were also interviewed for the story.Read more: http://www.recordnet.com/news/20170220/growth-trend-continues-for-local-financial-industry